Is this true?

[Chickenstoo]

Hi-

I am looking for input based on personal experience/opinion/whatever. Peewee's story is on the macaw threads. She is eating and drinking on her own and is alert and talking (also when I am not there), but vet has not tried to take her off of oxygen. I am transferring her (as long as she makes it-please, please?) to her regular avian vet on Monday (he gets back from vacation). Her regular vet is avian exclusive, the vet treating her is not.

Today the vet tells me, "Sick birds will stay alive just for their owners and make their best effort just for them, and I think you should know that". I found this to be a bit offensive, because I don't think there is science to back that up. It sounds a bit hippy-dippy. Does anyone have any thoughts?

 

[Featheredsamurai]

I think there can be some truth. I know of birds who simply loose the will to live after their parront passes away. I think it's even true for people at times, sometimes very sick people strive to live and don't give up, a person who does not care will probably not fare as well as someone who is striving with all their will power to survive.

If a parrot has no one who cares for them and no happiness in life, I would think they wouldn't do as well as a bird who has someone they can get excited about, and give them a light in their darkness of disease.

 

[JerseyWendy]

Peewee's story brought tears to my eyes, and I pray that she will pull through for you. I am truly so sorry you are going through this.

I honestly don't know with certainty that our pets hold on for us, but I "believe" they try, yes. I had 3 dogs "cross over" in my arms, and I told them it was ok to let go and to be at peace. I get teary-eyed thinking about this.

Then there was my beloved Quincy, a Magna DYH amazon, who died in my arms MUCH too young. He was quite sick, and the night he passed, I found him on the bottom of his cage, barely holding on. I lifted him out, sat on the couch and placed him on my lap. He slowly lifted his head and looked up at me, then said "Quincy is a good boy." I was besides myself. I said my farewell, told him he could go, and his last words to me, before he closed his eyes forever were "I love you."

I will NEVER get over my Quincy.

 

[weco]

Since I've not read Peewee's story, I'll just comment on this posting.....any animal, whether bird or other can exhibit a will to live or they may not wish to continue extreme care measures.....at some point we have to make rational decisions based on what's best for the animal, rather than what's best for our emotions.....

Just like our doctors, some vets have a good bedside manner & others don't, sounds like this vet may be considerate of his human patients & I'm not sure that I would hold his comments against him because some parronts are more emotional than others and it sounds like he was speaking to your emotions.....if you are like me, I prefer the cut & the dry of a situation and am not in need of hand holding...everybody is not like that, then there are those who find fault with the care an animal might get and either badmouth the vet/clinic or take legal action.....

I hope your feathered friend does get better.....

 

[Grenage]

How delightful for a Vet to pass off personal opinion as fact. Nobody can know, and while it's not impossible, I can't say that even the smartest bird even has a true concept of death.

As Weco says, you make the rational decision based on what's best for the animal. I'd do the same for a sibling, a parent, or a parrot.

 

[Peeker]

Geez. Sometime people say the stupidist things trying to be helpful. It really wasn't the comment needed in your situation. Let it pass an try to understand he probably meant well. I am hoping your Peewee recovers. I bet you're glad your regular vet is coming back!

 

[Zazoothehahns]

Since I've not read Peewee's story, I'll just comment on this posting.....any animal, whether bird or other can exhibit a will to live or they may not wish to continue extreme care measures.....at some point we have to make rational decisions based on what's best for the animal, rather than what's best for our emotions.....

Just like our doctors, some vets have a good bedside manner & others don't, sounds like this vet may be considerate of his human patients & I'm not sure that I would hold his comments against him because some parronts are more emotional than others and it sounds like he was speaking to your emotions.....if you are like me, I prefer the cut & the dry of a situation and am not in need of hand holding...everybody is not like that, then there are those who find fault with the care an animal might get and either badmouth the vet/clinic or take legal action.....

I hope your feathered friend does get better.....

I can't agree more. I do prefer a vet that is straight forward and I do believe many animals desire to please us and earn our praise, even when they must gather all their strength to do so, even at times when it is an end of life scenario. Sometimes we can just see theleila to live leave their eyes. I have a very close relationship with the team of vets I use for my horses and dogs and only wish there was an avian specialist in the practice. It does not mean I do not cry when I must help a beloved pet cross over, I just want an honest straight forward evaluation rather than a wishy washy personality just telling me what I hope to hear. He could have very well have just been trying to prepare you should the situation not improve.

 

[MonicaMc]

I think there is some truth to this... studies have shown that people with pets are often happier and healthier individuals. Now, how much humans effect animals depends entirely on the humans themselves.

May Peewee rest in peace!

 

[cdnbirdlover]

I'm so sorry about your Peewee. I read the thread on the macaw forum and it broke my heart.